Aesthetic and phenomenological nature of contacting among humans with grace, vitality and spontaneity has been captured in Gestalt therapy through various concepts and models. In our workshop we aim to focus on two – the use of photography and Lobb’s model of “dance steps” in Gestalt therapy. The concept of “dance steps” is developed by Spagnuolo Lobb (2017, 2017a, 2017b, 2023, 2023a). This model allows us to understand contacting process between both – caregiver and child – in developmental psychology, however it can be transferred in adult therapy field to capture contacting process between the therapist and the client without losing its accuracy. This model defines eight phases of contacting in co-creating field: 1. Building together the sense of the ground; 2. Perceiving one another; 3. Acknowledging one another; 4. Adjusting to one another; 5. Taking bold steps together; 6. Having fun; 7. Connecting; 8. Entrusting oneself to the other/Taking care of the other. These steps are unique and visible in every contact made between humans. Another concept we want to focus on is how photography and images can represent powerful medium to connect with inner processes, contacting the other and the world and understanding your body resonance in the here and now. Photography is a visual art and as such it emphasizes visual perception that lead humans’ psychological experience with the aim of aesthetic pleasure (Chuang et al., 2023). Use of photographs or photographic material as an aid in personal growth of clients has been confirmed as successful across various population (Cannavo et al., 2021; Doric, 2017; Hogan, 2022; Loewenthal, 2023).

During this experiential workshop we will facilitate the process of contacting among participants by using photographic material and leading the therapeutic process through eight dance steps following Lobb’s model in Gestalt therapy. Participants will re-connect with their inner processes and body resonance within the aesthetic field co-created with the other and through provided photographic material. These personal experiences are expected to be shared in the group process and contribute to the overall group dynamic and experience during this workshop.

Photography

3 Sessions

English

Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82878441618?pwd=lpIfJ74KKiv6ZV2LZarokM2G1Mn8WB.1

Meeting ID: 828 7844 1618
Passcode: BeArt

Michele Cannavo – Italy

Psychiatrist specializing at the University of Catania and Gestalt psychotherapist. Adjunct professor at UniCT in cinema, television, and psychiatry in psychiatric rehabilitation techniques. Adjunct professor in collaboration with the University of California in General Psychology. Author of numerous publications in the field of medical psychiatry, research, and psychotherapy (approximately 50) chapters in books and one book. He has completed several personal training courses in New York, Berlin, and other European cities with international teachers. National and international teacher and supervisor at the H.C.C. Italy Gestalt Psychotherapy Institute, specializing in bodily processes, groups, psychopathology, and the use of images in therapy. Lecturer in neuroscience. He has completed a one-year advanced course in phototherapy and social photography, specializing in phototherapy techniques with Judy Weiser, a second-level course in Caviardage with Tina Festa, and a course on the fundamentals of photolanguage at NetFo in Perugia. He has completed a basic course in mindfulness. He holds a second-level master’s degree in neuroaesthetics from the University of Rome-Torvergata. He has completed a first-level course in EMDR and training in Flash Technique with Philip Manfield. For several years, he has been combining his passion for photography with psychotherapy, groups, and bodily processes.

https://www.cannavomichele.com

Jelena Zeleskov Doric – Australia

Clinical psychologist and Gestalt psychotherapist trained in Europe and Australia. She completed her Gestalt therapy training in Malta, Italy, Germany and Serbia. She worked as an academic in Europe and Australia including being a Lecturer in Psychology (Charles Darwin University) in Darwin and Discipline Lead and Senior Lecturer in Psychotherapy and Counselling (ACAP) in Sydney. She is currently a Visiting Professor at the American University of Cyprus (AUCY). She was a Vice President of the European Association for Gestalt Therapy (EAGT) for nine years as well as Gestalt Leadership Group Member for Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and International Co-Chair for Gestalt Australia and New Zealand (GANZ). She is registered as a clinical psychologist in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Author of many publications in the field of psychology and psychotherapy. She has her own private practice Gestalt Healthcare and she is passionate about photography, psychotherapy and group processes.

https://www.gestalthealthcare.com

References:
Cannavò, M., GM Alù, A., Cereda, A., & Zeleskov Doric, J. (2021). L’uso delle immagini e della fotografia nella psicoterapia della Gestalt: neuroestetica, neuroni specchio e risonanza corporea. Quaderni di Gestalt: rivista semestrale di psicoterapia della Gestalt: 2, 2021, 29-43.
Chuang, H. C., Tseng, H. Y., & Tang, D. L. (2023). An eye tracking study of the application of gestalt theory in photography. Journal of eye movement research, 16(1), 10.16910/jemr.16.1.5. https://doi.org/10.16910/jemr.16.1.5
Doric, J. Z. (2017). Co-Creating Gestalt therapy research on rehabilitation of high security offenders. Gestalt Journal of Australia and New Zealand, 13(2), 45-55.
Hogan, S. (2022). Therapeutic Photography. In Photography(pp. 153-185). Emerald Publishing Limited.
Lobb, M. S. (2017). From losses of ego functions to the dance steps between psychotherapist and client. Phenomenology and aesthetics of contact in the psychotherapeutic field. Br. Gestalt J., 26, 28-37.
Lobb, M. S., Perricone, G., Isidoro, S. I., Di Pasqua, M. M., Marotta, S., Fontana, V., & Polizzi, C. (2023). A tool to observe the phenomenology and aesthetics of primary relationships: the “dance steps” of reciprocity between caregivers and infant/child–pilot validity study. Journal of Paediatric and Neonatal Individualized Medicine (JPNIM), 12(1), https://doi.org/10.7363/120125
Loewenthal, D. (2023). The handbook of phototherapy and therapeutic photography: For the professional and activist client. Routledge.
Spagnuolo Lobb M. (2017a). From losses of ego functions to the dance steps between psychotherapist and client. Phenomenology and aesthetics of contact in the psychotherapeutic field. Br Gestalt J, 26 (1), 28-37.
Spagnuolo Lobb M (2017b). Phenomenology and aesthetic recognition of the dance between psychotherapist and client: a clinical example. Br Gestalt J. 26 (2), 50-60.
Spagnuolo Lobb M. (2023a). Gestalt Therapy with Children. Supporting the Polyphonic Development of Domains in a Field of Contacts. In: Spagnuolo Lobb M, Levi N, Williams A (Eds.). Gestalt Therapy with Children. From Epistemology to Clinical Practice (pp.25-62). Siracusa: Istituto di Gestalt HCC Italy.